You’ve probably seen headlines talking about a Korean sunscreen ban in the U.S. It sounds serious—but is it true? Here’s the honest truth:
Korean sunscreens are not banned in America.
It’s not that the sunscreens are unsafe — it’s just about FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) regulations. Many beloved Korean brands use advanced UV filters such as bemotrizinol (also known as Tinosorb S), which are not yet approved by the FDA.
Because the U.S. treats sunscreens as over‑the‑counter drugs, not cosmetics, only a limited list of 16 filters are FDA‑approved—and the last new ingredient was added way back in the 1990s. These Korean formulas, wonderful as they are, simply hadn’t gone through FDA testing and so couldn’t be marketed legally as “SPF” products in the U.S.
It’s not a ban in the sense of “unsafe,” but rather a compliance issue. Brands like Beauty of Joseon removed its Relief Sun formula from U.S. stores, leading to headlines that stirred confusion and concern.
Why the FDA Still Hasn't Approved New Sunscreen Filters
What makes the FDA’s position even more frustrating is how long it takes to approve new sunscreen filters. One ingredient—bemotrizinol—has been under review for nearly two decades.
European and Korean markets use it widely because it's photostable, broad-spectrum, and feels nice on the skin, but U.S. approval is stagnant, partly due to outdated regulation and the FDA’s requirement for animal testing, which many brands are reluctant to do.
DSM‑Firmenich, the company that supplies bemotrizinol under the name PARSOL Shield, has spent over $12 million—including costs inherited from previous attempts—to bring this filter through the FDA’s “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE) process.
The expected decision may come as soon as early 2026—but until then, U.S. brands must use older filters or reformulate entirely.
So, Are Korean Sunscreens Safe to Use in the U.S.?
It doesn’t mean Korean sunscreens are dangerous—just that they didn’t meet regulatory approval in time. Most Korean sunscreens, including the original Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun, were perfectly safe and widely loved for providing broad UVA/UVB protection, silky texture, no white cast, and soothing ingredients like rice extract.
The problem was simply that their UV filters weren’t part of the U.S. monograph. The brand chose to remove the original formula from its U.S. site and plan for a compliant version; meanwhile many fans hoarded the last stock from overseas retailers before it disappeared.
So yes—the phrase “Korean sunscreen ban” is misleading.
What really happened is that some Korean sunscreen formulas never received FDA approval for sale in the U.S. and were quietly pulled. If you ordered them from overseas, you likely got the version formulated with newer filters—but that’s why it’s tricky: the FDA considers those filters unapproved, even if they’ve been used safely abroad for over 20 years.
What should you do if you still want that Korean sunscreen feeling?
First, read the ingredient list—look out for filters like homologate or octocrylene that indicate a U.S.-compliant formula if you’re buying from a U.S. seller. If the product uses bemotrizinol or Uvinul A Plus, it’s likely made for overseas markets and may not be approved to sell as SPF domestically.
Second, keep an eye on the FDA’s expected decision around 2026; new filters like bemotrizinol are under review, and if approved, it may change the sunscreen landscape in the U.S.
Finally, consider skin-friendly products like Beauty of Renforcer Glow Sunscreen SPF 50+, which delivers many of the benefits Korean sunscreens are known for—hydration, no cast, fresh texture.
The wider issue here isn’t risk—it’s terminology. When headlines say “Korean sunscreen banned,” readers should understand that the problem is about FDA labeling and ingredient lists, not product recalls or algae alerts.
Korean sunscreens are regulated under the Korean MFDS, which has its own rigorous safety process. So even though they can’t legally claim SPF in the U.S. market, they often meet or exceed international safety and efficacy standards.
Your Safe, Effective Korean Sunscreen Pick
If you love that airy, melt-into-skin sunscreen feeling that Korean brands offer but want something closer to compliance—or at least with transparent ingredient lists—there’s another option: Beauty of Renforcer Glow Sunscreen SPF 50+, for $15.99.
This formula isn’t FDA-approved either, but it mirrors the sensorial quality of Korean sunscreens while using commonly accepted chemical filters like ethylhexyl triazone and methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol.
It absorbs quickly, leaves zero white cast, and feels more like skincare than sticky SPF.
The brand is upfront about its authentic Korean formulation, that it’s dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free, and suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Many users note that it offers the same lightness as the original Relief Sun but from a newer brand committed to transparency and user comfort.
Final Thoughts: Will Korean sunscreens return to U.S. shelves?
Going forward, if the FDA approves bemotrizinol and adds it to the U.S.’s OTC monograph (which could happen around 2026), Americans might finally get access to the same UV filters used in Europe and Korea.
That would be the first in over 25 years. A new sunscreen ingredient approved in the U.S.—and open the door for new, more photostable, broad-spectrum formulas (Source). For now, though, you have options that feel great and are safe for daily use.
